Baltimore Ravens suffer worst loss of season vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Baltimore Ravens suffered their worst loss of the season, 35-6, at home against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks came to M&T Bank Stadium and reminded everyone that they are still the team to beat in the NFL. The injury-riddled Baltimore Ravens were outmatched from the opening kickoff.

Russell Wilson threw five touchdowns, three to Doug Baldwin, as the Seahawks manhandled Baltimore, 35-6, for Ravens’ ninth loss of the season. The loss assured Baltimore its first losing season since the Brian Billick era ended following the 2007 season.

The Ravens did not stand a chance as Jimmy Clausen stepped in for an injured Joe Flacco and Matt Schaub. Clausen completed 23 of 40 passes for a career-high 274 yards and an interception. He became just the sixth quarterback since 1950 to start against the same team twice for different teams during one season. That was about all that went well for the Ravens on the day.

We learned quickly that many of us – myself included – were wrong about Schaub after watching Jimmy run the offense on Sunday. Schaub has much better command of the offense and can make the passes to win a game. Clausen was hesitant with his throws. He overthrew receivers. He was jittery in the pocket.

He also tried to go after Richard Sherman, who picked off Clausen to set up Wilson’s final touchdown pass to Baldwin midway in the fourth quarter. Seattle entered many of their backups at that point as the Ravens looked defeated.

The loss was the largest defeat of the season as the Ravens lost every game by eight points or less through the first 12 games. It gives John Harbaugh his first losing season since joining the franchise in 2008.

The running game was particularly bad for the Ravens, who managed just 28 yards on 14 carries. Javorius Allen had his worst outing since taking over for the injured Justin Forsett, gaining 14 yards on eight carries. The Seahawks do have one of the best run defenses in the NFL, but 28 yards is just embarrassing.

The Kansas City Chiefs are another team that will come to Charm City with a lot of momentum as they have won seven straight. Andy Reid‘s squad currently holds the fifth-seed in the AFC and are fending off the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets for that spot. Baltimore will host the Steelers the following week so the Ravens will have an impact on the future of many teams down the stretch.

Harbaugh and his staff are learning how important it is to have a reliable backup behind Flacco. They were blessed to have Tyrod Taylor for years as he has proven to be a pretty good starter for the Buffalo Bills. They will need to upgrade next season as there is some uncertainty if Flacco will be ready for the start of the 2016 season.

Next: Ravens vs. Seahawks Score Prediction

I never thought I would say this, but the Ravens need to stick with Schaub the rest of the way. He gives them the best chance to win any of the remaining three games.

Or at least look a bit more competitive when they lose all three.